The Easiest and Cheapest Way to Get Apple CarPlay in Your Older Car

Apple CarPlay has quickly become a standard feature in new vehicles. In fact, fewer than 10 new cars on sale in Australia today lack it as standard. But if you’re not in the market for a brand-new vehicle, what’s the best way to bring this modern tech to your older car?

Aftermarket head units are often the go-to, but they can be expensive, complex to install, and can compromise the original look of your car's interior. Luckily, there's now a brilliant alternative: the portable Apple CarPlay head unit – a solution so simple, it takes less than five minutes to set up and requires no tools whatsoever.

Why Go Portable?

A portable Apple CarPlay unit is essentially a tablet designed specifically for your car. It mounts using a suction cup, adhesive tape, or bracket – no wires, no cutting, and no electrical expertise needed. Prices range from a budget-friendly $30 to around $500, with mid-tier options offering excellent value.

For my early 2000s car, I picked up a $150 unit from Amazon, specifically the 9.3-inch slim version – big enough to be functional, but compact enough to avoid taking over my dashboard.

Installation in Minutes

Inside the box, you get everything: the tablet, mounting accessories, a reversing camera, cables, and even instructions (though it’s almost self-explanatory). From unboxing to fully connected, the whole process took me just five minutes.

I opted not to hard-mount it with adhesive to avoid damaging my vintage dash. Instead, I mounted it similarly to a GPS – a simple suction solution. Be mindful of where you place it, though: there’s no legal maximum screen size in Australia, but if it obstructs your view, police can issue fines at their discretion.

Wireless Audio Made Simple

For sound, you can either connect via AUX or use the unit’s built-in AM/FM transmitter. I went wireless: pick a frequency on the unit, match it on your car’s radio, and you’re done. Surprisingly, the audio quality is great – much better than those old-school cigarette lighter FM transmitters.

Smooth and Functional (with a Few Quirks)

Is it perfect? Not quite. The screen has minor lag and shifts slightly when you tap it. Audio doesn’t quite match hardwired systems. But compared to some clunky wired-in units I’ve used in the past (looking at you, AliExpress), this one performs surprisingly well.

Even more impressive: the system maintains a reliable connection – better than some factory-fitted setups I’ve tried. Siri works seamlessly, even without an external mic, and the unit includes extra features like Bluetooth, radio, and phone mirroring (just be careful with legal restrictions around video while driving).

Final Verdict

If you're after Apple CarPlay but don’t want to tear up your dash or spend hundreds on professional installs, a portable Apple CarPlay unit is a no-brainer. They’re affordable, functional, and versatile enough to work in almost any car.

I personally went with a brand called Aphoua, but many models offer similar specs. Just look out for RAM and display quality – more RAM means less lag. Do your research, check reviews, and you could have a smarter, safer, and more connected driving experience in no time.

Ready to upgrade your drive without breaking the bank? This might just be the easiest car mod you’ll ever do.

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Credit: Drive.com.au